Health and Retirement Study (HRS)

Principal Investigator(s): Juster, F. Thomas; Willis, Robert J., University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research

Summary: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a major national panel study of the lives of older Americans. The HRS includes the "original" HRS and the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest-Old (AHEAD) study. These studies were merged in 1998 and now represent the United States population over age 50. The study is funded by the National Institute on Aging to provide researchers, policy analysts, and program planners with current data on the antecedents and consequences of retirement. Q... (more info)

• These data are not available from ICPSR. Users should consult the data owners directly (via Health and Retirement Study) for details on obtaining the data and documentation.

Summary:   The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a major national panel study of the lives of older Americans. The HRS includes the "original" HRS and the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest-Old (AHEAD) study. These studies were merged in 1998 and now represent the United States population over age 50. The study is funded by the National Institute on Aging to provide researchers, policy analysts, and program planners with current data on the antecedents and consequences of retirement. Questionnaire topics include physical and cognitive functioning, retirement plans, family structure and transfers, demographic characteristics, housing, employment status, income, disability, health insurance, pension plans, job history, and attitudes, preferences, and expectations for the future. The survey data are linked with administrative records from the Employer Pension Study (1993 and 1999), National Death Index, Social Security Administration earnings and projected benefits data and W-2 self-employment data, and Medicare files.

Subject Terms:   aging, attitudes, disabilities, expectations, family relations, health care costs, health insurance, housing, income, insurance claims, job history, Medicaid, mental health, older adults, personal finances, physical condition, retirement, social services, social support, wealth

Geographic Coverage:   United States

Data Collection Notes:

These data are not available from ICPSR. Users should consult the data owners directly for details on obtaining the data and documentation